A GALLERY dedicated to showcasing mining art and celebrating the North-East ‘s industrial heritage has won an award.

The Mining Art Gallery, in the Market Place, Bishop Auckland, has been named Small Visitor Attraction of the Year in the North-East England Tourism Awards.

It has three permanent galleries and one temporary exhibition space to show working life in the coal mines through original artefacts and artwork from leading figures such as Tom McGuinness and Norman Cornish.

The gallery, which opened in October last year, was not the only County Durham organisation celebrating after the prestigious ceremony in Newcastle Civic Centre, which was hosted by comedian and radio presenter Alfie Joey.

Brunswick House, which has five guest rooms, in the Market Place at Middleton-in-Teesdale, also scooped a top honour.

It has been run by husband and wife team Andrew and Sheila Milnes for the last 30 years.

Mr Milnes, 60, said: “We are delighted. It is the first time we have entered the award so to come out with a gold on the first attempt is quite something.

“I think the judges were probably impressed with the way we are very customer-orientated here.

“We try to do the best for our guests.”

Gold awards also went to Doe Park Caravan Site in Barnard Castle, Holiday Park of the Year; Event Durham at Durham University, which won a Business Tourism Award and Durham Pointers, which won Visitor Information Provider of the Year.

The winners will be highlighted during the 30th anniversary of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

Michelle Gorman, managing director of Visit County Durham, said: “We are thrilled to see so many Durham businesses awarded for their hard work and dedication to the tourism industry.

“It is once again testament to the quality and diversity of our tourism offer that we have so many worthy winners.”

Businesses in the county also won three silver, one bronze and two highly commended awards.

The awards play a key role in celebrating and showcasing the range of quality tourism businesses that visitors to the North-East encounter.

The tourism sector continues to be the fourth largest in the region, highlighting the importance of the businesses working in the sector to the wider economy.

Sarah Stewart, of Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, said: “Congratulations to all of the winners and those who contribute to the success of the North-East tourism sector. This year we received a record number of applications and all the categories were tightly contested.”